Trustee Board
As a registered charity, we have a board of trustees who govern the organisation and direct how it is managed and run.
Our trustee board is made up of our full time officers, elected student trustees, and external trustees. Find out more about them below.
EXTERNAL TRUSTEES:
Arun Sharma
As a Brunel University Alumni, I'm pleased to be serving the Union of Brunel Students as Deputy Chair.
I'm an experienced senior business leader, with a specialism in IT, digital and business transformations, operating as a Chief Information/Technology Officer. I bring a range of expertise to the Union including strategic planning, risk management, governance, cyber and data security, technology transformation, financial planning, supplier management, D&I and ESG considerations.
During my time at Brunel, I experienced the fantastic services provided by the Union, as well as many memorable times at the bars and The Venue. I gave back to my fellow students as a member of the Sports Federation committee and chair of the Badminton Club. I'm now pleased to help govern the Union to ensure existing and future students thrive whilst at Brunel.
Jo-Emma Gregory-Gallagher
I’m a creative and results-focused senior leader with over ten years’ experience in the Students’ Union sector. As an alumnus of Brunel, I’m proud to return in a trustee role to support the ongoing development of the Union that helped shape my own journey.
I bring expertise in strategic development, student engagement, events, communications, and public relations. I also have first-hand experience in governance and board-level decision-making.
I’m passionate about supporting Sabbatical Officers and Student Trustees to realise their goals, while helping the Union deliver on its long-term ambitions. I’m excited to contribute to a strong and effective board, and to help ensure the Union continues to thrive for future generations of Brunel students.
GURPREET virk
I’m proud to be a Brunel graduate, now leading a $100M business unit at Adobe, having previously held roles at Microsoft and Deliveroo. As the first in my family to attend university, and a local resident, I’m passionate about supporting Brunel’s diverse student community and giving back to the institution that helped shape my journey.
While at Brunel, I served as President of the Sikh Society and worked on campus, gaining valuable leadership, financial, and operational experience. I’ve remained closely connected to the University, regularly supporting career events and mentoring students.
With an MBA from London Business School and a track record of driving growth and collaboration, I bring strategic insight and a commitment to inclusion. I’m excited to support the Union's long-term success and help future generations of Brunel students thrive.
OFFICER TRUSTEES
ABHISHEK GHAWATE
I am Abhishek Ghawate, and I am proud to be returning as Education President at the Union of Brunel Students for 2026–27.
Having first experienced Brunel as an international student, where I completed my MSc in Management with Placement, I understand the opportunities and challenges that shape university life. Over the past year, I have worked closely with students, University leadership and Union colleagues to improve academic experiences, strengthen student representation, expand employability opportunities and ensure student feedback leads to meaningful change.
As Chair of the Trustee Board, a member of University Council and a contributor to key strategic committees, I bring a student-centred perspective alongside experience in leadership, strategic planning, collaborative decision-making and organisational governance.
To me, being a Trustee means acting with integrity, taking collective responsibility for the Union’s long-term sustainability and ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of students, both now and in the future. I am committed to helping the Union remain accountable, financially sustainable and ambitious in its mission, while ensuring every student’s voice helps shape a stronger, more inclusive Brunel community.
NAFEE KHAN
RICHARD IYEDE
STUDENT TRUSTEES:
Erica Brackenbury
I'm a distance learning postgraduate student with a strong background in higher education quality assurance and governance. During my Master’s at Bath Spa University, I served as a student trustee; an experience that made me feel part of a vibrant university community and sparked my ongoing commitment to amplifying the student voice.
I currently work as a Quality Manager at the University of Roehampton and have supported major sector-wide initiatives, including TEF submissions. My professional experience gives me a deep understanding of regulation, policy, and risk in higher education, which I bring to my role as a trustee.
I’m passionate about equity and ensuring diverse perspectives are heard and valued in decision-making. I aim to contribute to the Board with integrity, critical thinking, and a collaborative spirit.
Silviya Gupta
Hey, I’m Silviya - a law student, a registered company director, and a committed member of this Union since 2018.
Being trusted to sit on the Union’s highest governing body is a privilege I do not take lightly. Across eight years at Brunel, through my LLB, three years of professional legal practice, and now my LLM in International Commercial Law, I have developed a deep understanding of this institution, its students and its staff.
I operate on the Nolan Principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. These are how I negotiated the Arbitration Summer School fee from £500 to £350 for students. How I engaged senior university leadership to strengthen engagement and institutional reputation. How I have stood in Union elections across both degrees, because serving this community never depended on winning.
HAMNA IMRAN
Hey everyone!
You might know me as the "Hey everyone!" girl who's often running around campus filming interviews, creating content for Brunel's social media, giving campus tours, or appearing in university videos. If you've attended an Open Day, Offer Holder Day, or scrolled through Brunel's Instagram, there's a good chance we've crossed paths!
Behind every great student experience are important decisions about funding, opportunities, inclusion, and the future direction of our Students' Union. As a Trustee, I want to make sure those decisions are shaped by the people who matter most: students.
Over the past two years, I've worked with hundreds of students through my roles at Brunel University as a Student Ambassador, Course Representative, and Treasurer of the Economics and Finance Society. I've witnessed your successes, understood your struggles, and learned from the diverse experiences that make up who we are as People.
As an international student, I know that every student's journey is different. That's why I'm passionate about ensuring all voices are represented, not just the loudest ones.
With a background in finance, leadership experience across Brunel, and a genuine commitment to our community, I'll bring preparation, accountability, and a student-first perspective to every decision.
YOKABET DEBESEY
I have experience listening to students and turning feedback into positive change. As a Student Representative at Brunel, I collected and analysed student feedback from the Economics and Finance department and presented key concerns related to employability preparation to staff professionally. One outcome from this was the introduction of additional 1st year support sessions for aptitude and online assessment testing as well as better communication of careers resources. This experience showed me the importance of ensuring student voices are heard in decision making.
I have developed leadership and teamwork skills through both university and extracurricular activities. During the Hayes Impact Challenge with Hillingdon Council, I worked in a team to develop a low cost proposal to tackle litter issues in Hayes Town. I was responsible for the feasibility analysis while helping manage different viewpoints within the group. As Literacy Club Secretary, I organised debate sessions, managed a small budget and helped coordinate a drama production.
I believe I bring honesty, integrity and a genuine interest in improving the student experience. Through volunteering and leadership roles, I have learned the importance of accountability, preparation and representing others fairly.